27 May VOL 08 Issue 22

Positive mental health

Welcome to the 27 May @boutSeniors enewsletter.

This week we are feeling very positive - despite the inevitable drop in temperature as we head toward the winter solstice.

Why so positive? Well we've been doing a lot of research on positive mental health and are heartened by some of the programs now being offered to those who suffer from depression or the effects of trauma. We have also dusted out the old cookery books and in Comfort Food share a fabulous recipe for Curried Parsnip Soup - both affordable and delicious. And there is a free gift for your favourite winter warmer - share your favourite soup recipe with us and win a prize if it is published in Comfort Food. Friendships offer the most warmth so check out the latest postings on our free personals page.

Money is obviously on your minds, read our most recent finance-related Q&As.

We have enjoyed reading your many varied responses to the debate on the adequacy of the pension and the budget - and are intrigued by the suggestion of "supporting" a pensioner by an online auction site - at one level this might be helpful, but are we the only ones who find this notion a touch patronising - or just a cheap way to increase website hits?

Debbie has worked hard this week digging out the best local travel deals, whilst we've all been reading the latest batch of biographies to hit our desks. Call them the good, the bland and the ugly, the stories of Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, David Stratton and Judith Pugh offer three very different accounts of lives well (?) lived.

And don't forget to answer our poll question on the fuel cost crisis.

Keep punching
David & Kaye Fallick

Competitions

Fuel cost crisis
Be in the running to win one of two copies of The Edwardian Country House on DVD by answering our poll question on fuel prices.

Share your favourite soup recipe to win
Win a copy of one of our favourite cook books by having your favourite soup recipe featured in Comfort food. Every recipe submitted receives a free copy of the Winter issue of Your Life.

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Wellbeing

Black moods
Depression takes many forms, from feeling a little under the weather, to not being able to function on a day-to-day basis.

Happy Vietnam vets
One in five Australians suffering from mental health problems. With the launch of a new website, the DVA aim to combat this problem in veterans and the defence forces.

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Government

Respite care boost
Nearly 130,000 carers make use of respite and carer support services each year. To alleviate strain on these services, the Rudd Government have announced $6.9million in additional funding.

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For a good cause

Education's the key
One of the most effective ways of breaking the cycle of disadvantage is by providing a child access to education.

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Getting out there

Life balance
AboutSeniors subscriber, Harsu, has suggested Wu Tao, a dance-based therapy, to re-energise your body, mind and soul.

SFF turns 55
From 4-22 June 2008, the 55th Sydney Film Festival will run throughout the city. This is your chance to catch up on what's new in cinematography.

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Travel express

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Australia's great train journeys
Kick back, relax and enjoy some of the best train journeys in the world, through the centre of Australia.

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Relax and recharge
Sometimes it all just gets too much for even the strongest amongst us. Combining a well-earned break with a one-on-one mental and emotional wellness retreat may just be the ticket to a happier, healthier you.

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Travel deals

Hotels under $100
Save $$$ on hotels this winter and treat yourself to a well deserved break with these budget saving offers.

Crowne Plaza 3 day sale
Stay at one of the participating Crowne Plaza hotels in June, July and August and take advantage of sale prices from just $99.

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Bookshelf online

Kiss and tell
Some do, some don't. Judith Pugh, former wife of artist, Clifton, does. Tell, that is. In Unstill Life she shares the inner secrets of a turbulent decade of love, art and politics.

Saving the children
First published in 2001, Rescued by Angels is Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo's account of his mission to care for orphaned and traumatized Rwandan children. A refugee three times over, Bishop Bilindabagabo, his wife, Grace, and their children survived the Rwandan genocide of 1994 through what he describes as a series of miracles.

Life in film
Deciding to write your autobiography is never a task undertaken lightly. You subject yourself and your life's work to criticism, whilst your audience wants to be entertained and emotionally engaged.

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DVD junction

Below the stairs
Few have lived long enough to recall life in Edwardian times, so it is difficult to imagine giving up all your home comforts for a life of servitude in pre-war Britain.

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Comfort food

Super soups
Each week throughout June and July, we'll be publishing a different soup recipe to warm you up in the winter months. This week, it's a Fallick family favourite, David and Kaye's curried parsnip soup.

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Here to help

And don't forget the staff at @boutSeniors are here to help with all your queries, whatever the topic, on help@aboutseniors.com.au

To subscribe to the free fortnightly @boutSeniors enewsletter, put your email address into the subscribe here box on the left hand side of our homepage. Go there now.

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